Indexing attachment for sewing machines



y 1967 G. PERRELLA ETAL 3,322,083

INDEXING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Dec. 5, 1963 10Sheets-Sheet l May 30, 1967 5. PERRELLA ETAL 3,322,083

INDEXING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 5,1963 May 30, 1967 s. PERRELLA ETAL 3,322,083

10 Sheets-Sheet 3 fi/aa FE IPE 4 FFEW/VA: EOKE/E y 1967 s. PERRELLA ETALINDBXING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 5,1963 Q0270 .f/Ue /vr 7 /64 516 Ive/vars May 30, 1967 e. PERRELLA ETALINDEXING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES l0 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 5,1963 y 1967 e. PERRELLA ETAL 3,322,083

INDEXING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES 1O Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 5,1963 May 30, 1967 G. PERRELLA ETAL INDEXING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWINGMACHINES 1O Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed Dec. 5, 1963 y 1967 e. PERRELLA ETAL3,322,083"

INDEXING'ATTACHMENT FUR SEWING MACHINES l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 5,1963 y 30, 1967 e. PERRELLA ETAL 7 3,322,083

INDEXING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Dec. 5, 1963 r 10Sheets-Sheet 9 412/470 73572 25444 Ike/w: BCIE/E 5 y 30, 1967 G.PERRELLA ETAL 3,322,083

INDEXING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Dec. 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet10 4r NE Y5 United States Patent 3,322,083 INDEXING ATTACHIVIENT FORSEWING CHINES This invention relates to an indexing attachment forsewing machines of the type used in the garment industry and inparticular to an automatic indexing attachment adapted for use incombination with buttonhole sewing machines to provide means forautomatically spacing and sewing buttonholes in jackets, dresses andsimilar garments.

Indexing attachments for buttonhole sewing machines are known in the artas exemplified in United States Patents Nos. 2,944,496 of July 20, 1960,and 2,899,919 of August 18, 1959. However, for several reasons suchdevices have not been altogether successful and have not, therefore,been widely accepted in the garment industry. For example, theabove-mentioned attachments are, in most cases, extremely complicatedresulting in a high cost of manufacture and maintenance. In additionthey are, generally, so integrated in construction with their associatedsewing machines that, if mechanical breakdown occurs in the attachment,the sewing machine cannot be used manually or exclusive of theattachment.

A further disadvantage of known types of indexing attachments is thattheir drive mechanisms are so designed that their incorporated garmentsupporting surfaces are propelled past the needles of the sewingmachines in one direction only and that upon completion of a sewingoperation or cycle the supporting surface must be returned manually to astarting or first operative position. Moreover, when sewing operationsto the garment have been completed, the thread or gimp extending fromthe throat plate of the sewing machine to the garment must be manuallysevered by the machine operator.

Due to the fact that the indexing machines of the prior art have enjoyeda rather small acceptance in the trade, the practice of buttonholesewing as followed today in the garment industry requires that thegarment must pass through two operators and at least two stages ofmanufacture. A first operator determines the location of each buttonholeto be sewn and marks the location by chalk. A second machine operatormust position the garment lapel in its proper location under the needleof the machine; hold the garment firmly whilst the first buttonhole issewn; advance the garment so that the next location is positioned underthe needle; and again hold the garment firmly during the sewing of thesecond buttonhole. Additionally, the operator must put into elfect theseveral actuating levers or pushbuttons to start and stop the machine atthe proper times. This sequence of operation is repeated until all thebuttonholes have been completed whereupon the operator must sever thethread to complete the sewing operation.

The object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simpleand inexpensive indexing attachment for buttonhole sewing machineswherein a garment supporting surface is adapted to hold a garment inposition throughout a sewing cycle which comprises starting from a firstsewing location to a plurality of subsequent locations where a series ofspaced apart buttonholes are sewn into the garment; severingautomatically the gimp or thread from machine to garment; releasing thelatter from the attachment; and reciprocating in reverse the supportingsurface to the starting position to receive a further garment to besewn.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an indexingattachment which may easily and quickly be placed into an operativeposition with respect to the machine whereby the latter may beindependently operated.

According to its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to anindexing attachment for eiiecting automatically a plurality of sewingoperations to a garment and comprising a work table adapted toreciprocate along a rail member pivotally and detachably secured to saidsewing machine; drive means in said rail member adapted to reciprocatesaid table; retaining means on said table adapted to clamp thereto agarment to be sewn by said machine; and an indexing system on saidattachment adapted, in co-operation with said drive means, tosequentially stop and advance said table on said rail in a plurality ofpositions relative to said machine; said attachment having a first oroperative position with said machine to provide therefor automaticindexing means, and a second or inoperative position with said machinewhereby the latter may be independently operated.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective illustration of the buttonholing attachmentapplied to a known type of buttonhole sewing machine;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the attachment showing both the drive andthread cutting mechanism in chain lines;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation of the attachment illustrating the mannerby which the invention is connected to a sewing machine in operative andinoperative posi tions;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view in perspective of the drive means for theattachment and its relation to the table and thread cutter;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of the attachment;

FIGURE 6 is a rear view in perspective of a portion of the work tableand its associated garment clamp mechanism in open and closed positions;

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are plan views of the table, drive mechanism andthread cutter in sequential positions during a sewing cycle;

FIGURE 10 is a detailed plan view of a portion of the thread severingapparatus;

FIGURE 11 is a view in elevation of portions of thread severingapparatus shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged view of the indexing solenoid and its relatedbolt and block assembly;

FIGURE 13 and 14 are elevation and plan views respectively of themachine starting solenoid and the sewing head clamp switch mounting;

FIGURE 15 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit used in thepresent invention; and

FIGURE 16 is a diagrammatic view of the machine starting switches.

The present invention is designed for attachment to known types ofbuttonhole sewing machines. Prior to the entering of the detaileddescription of the instant invention, the main features of theassociated sewing machine will be discussed briefly and in particularlythe features that are relevant to the operation of the attachment.

In known types of buttonhole sewing machines,the work or garment is heldstationary on the sewing machine platen by means of sewing clamps whilstthe movement of the needle and sewing head is eflected by travel of astitch frame so that the needle may traverse a predetermined path to sewthe buttonhole in the garment.

Stitch frame travel is actuated by a main cam revolved by a sector shaftand levers which in turn are operated by a power :source through theintermediary of a clutch mechanism. The machine is provided with amanual start- Patented May 30, 1967,

ing lever 2 (FIG. 13) which, when thrown, efiects engagement of theclutch to commence a sewing cycle. When the latter is completed, themain cam reverses the starting lever to disengage the clutch prior to asubsequent sewing operation.

The sewing clamps are automatically raised and lowered by the machine atthe completion and commencement respectively of each sewing cycle. Theclamps are interconnected to a toggle arm 3, as shown in FIG. 13, whichis pivotally connected at one end to the main cam case 4. The main cam(not shown) is provided on its underside with a pair of clamping camsand 6 which, when the main cam is revolved, act upon a roller or camfollower 7 mounted for rotation on the toggle arm 3.

Although the linkage interconnecting the toggle arm 3 and the sewingclamps are shown only diagrammatically in FIG. 13, it will be evidentthat rotation of the main cam causes the clamping cams 5 and 6 to engagethe follower 7 thereby raising or lowering the associated toggle arm andthe sewing clamps.

The above-mentioned integers are, or course, so timed that as thestarting lever 2 is thrown and the power source causes the main cam torevolve, the clamping cam 6 effects lowering of the sewing clamp priorto the commencement of the stitch frame travel. Accordingly, at thecompletion of the sewing cycle, the clamping cam 5 effects raising ofthe sewing clamp as the main cam causes disengagement of the clutch andreversal of the starting lever.

As will be described in detail hereinafter, the attachment forming thepresent invention includes a machine starting solenoid S-2 (FIG. 13)adapted to automatically actuate the starting lever 2 for the commenceof each sewing cycle.,Additionally, the toggle arm 3 is adapted, uponactuation, to contact a micro-switch SW -1 (FIG. 13) which, as willlater be described, allows passage of a portion of the attachment pastthe needle of the machine. In other words, raising of the sewing clampat the completion of each cycle effects actuation of the switch SW-l toeffect operation of a portion of the attachment.

Referring now to FIGURES l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is shown abuttonhole sewing machine indicated generally at M and which is securedto a'machine work table M1.

An indexing attachment forming the present invention and indicatedgenerally at 1 is detachably secured to the table M1 and comprises awork table adapted to carry 'a garment G past the sewing head M2 of themachine in sequential steps; a guide rail 30, secured in stationaryposition to the table M1, and on which the work table 10 reciprocates;drive means indicated generally at 40 which interconnects the rail 30and work table 10 and which advances the latter in 30; and an indexingsystem which comprises a plurality of stop members, solenoids andassociated micro-switches to stop and start the work table 10 and sewingmachine M at predetermined locations for spaced buttonhole sewing. Thewiring and relays for the indexing integer-s are enclosed in a controlbox 8 secured to the table M1 by fastening elements 9 as shown in FIGURE1.

The work table 10 comprises an elongated flat surface 11 provided withangularly disposed front and rear skirt portions 12 and 13 respectivelywhich extend downwardly as shown in FIGURE 3, to substantially envelopthe side edges 30A, 30B of the guide rail 30. The front and rear tableskirts 12 and 13 are each provided with two pairs of rollers 14 and 15,each pair thereof being mounted in roller mounts 16. As may be seen fromFIGURE 3, the rollers 14 and-15 engage the upper end and lower surfacesof the rail whereby the table 10 may travel freely backward or forward.

The upper surface 11 of the table 10 is provided adjacent one end withan adjustable gauge plate comprising a slidable shoe 17 mounted betweena pair of spaced parallel guide rails 18 and 19. The shoe 17 is adjusteda reciprocating action along the rail 4. prior to a sewing operation soas to position properly a portion of a garment to the work table 10 aswill be described in detail hereinafter.

Further guide means to assist an operator in positioning a garment onthe table 10 is provided in a depth guide 20 adapted to abut a furtherportion of the garment G prior to a sewing operation and which ismounted co-planar with and adjacent to the sewing machine work platen M3as shown in FIGURE 2.

The upper surface 11 of the table 10 is scalloped as at 21 (FIGURE 2) sothat it does not contact the sewing machine work platen M3 during asewing operation. The scalloped area 21 is of such a length that it isclear of the platen M3 during table 10 as will be evident by referenceto FIGURES 7, 8 and 9.

The upper surface 11 of the work table 10 is provided with garmentretaining means, indicated generally at 22, for securing a garment tothe table 10 during a sewing operation.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 3 and 6 of the drawings, the retaining means 22comprises a substantially U-shaped clamp arm 23 having a resilientgarment engaging lower edge consisting of a shoe 24 formed of foamrubber or other suitable soft material. clamp 23 are pivoted as at 25 toa pair of mounting brackets 26 secured to the underside of the tablell).The terminal ends of the clamp 23 are provided, adjacent the pivotpoints 25, with tensioned actuating arms 27 which extend to theunderside of the table 10 and which terminate in connection to clampsolenoids S-3 and 5-4 secured to the mounting brackets 26 as shown inFIG- URE 6, whereby the actuation of the clamp solenoids causes theactuating arms 27 to open or close the clamp 23 in relation to the worktable 10 as illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 6.

As previously described, the work table 10 is adapted for reciprocabletravel along the stationary rail 30 secured to the sewing machinesupport M1. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the attachment 1 is detachablyconnected to the upper surface of a sewing machine support table M1 bymeans of a pair of swivel support arms 31 and 32 disposed to either sideof the sewing machine M. Arms 31 and 32 are pivotally mounted to a pairof U- shaped swivel blocks 33 which are bolted or screwed to the top ofthe table M1 adjacent its forward edge as shown in FIGURE 3. The outerends of the swivel arms 31, 32 terminate in flanged faces 34 forconnection to the underside of the rail 30.

The inner ends of the swivel arms 31 and 32 are provided with flangedseats 35 adapted to'abut buffers 36 7 bolts, as shown, extending whichmay be provided by downwardly through the table top. The seats 35 arere: tained against the buffers 36 by means of toggle clamps 37 securedto the table M1. Moreover, the swivel arms 31and 32 are provided withbosses 38 adapted to receive the ends of balance springs 39 connected toeye screws 40 secured to the table M1.

As shown in the full and ghost views of FIGURE. 3, the completeattachment 1 may be pivoted away from its operative position adjacentthe sewing machine M toan inoperative position whereby the machine maybe 0p erated independently of the attachment 1 if, through mechanicalfailure of the latter, such independent manipula: tion is required. Theattachment 1 is swung away from the machine M by releasing the toggleclamps 37 from the seats 35 whereby the arms 31, 32 pivot abouttheswivel blocks 33 to assume the position illustrated in chain lines inFIGURE 3. An operator effecting the above action is aided by the tensionof the balance springs 39. The swivel support arm 32 (FIGURES 3 and 5)is 7 provided with a mounting plate 32a, adjacent to the flanged face34, to which is secured a motor, gear box and clutch mechanism of theattachment drive means indicated generally at 40.

the full extent of the travel of the The terminal ends of the The drivemeans 40, as shown in FIGURE 4, comprises a feed motor 41 and gear box42 secured to the swivel support arm 32. A drive shaft 43 extendsupwardly from the gear box 42 through the rail 30 and is adapted torotate an overload or friction clutch 44' and its associated drivesprocket 45. The latter together with an idler sprocket 46 (FIGURE 2)are mounted for rotation on the rail 30 and are interconnected bytransmission means characterized in a drive chain 47 as shown.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 4 of the drawings, the table isreciprocated along the rail 30 by means of the drive motor 41 and chain47 through the intermediary of a connecting rod 48 pivotally mounted atone end 49 to a bracket 50 secured to the front skirt 12-of the table10. The rod 48 is provided adjacent its other end 51 with a downwardlyextending boss 52 which is pivotally connected by means of a dowel pin53 to the chain 47. It will be evident therefore from FIGURES 7, 8 and 9that circulation of the chain 47 .above its associated sprockets 45 and46 effects reciprocating travel to the table 10 along the rail 30.

The attachment 1 is provided with thread severing means, indicatedgenerally at 60 in FIGURE 2, whereby a garment may be automaticallysevered from the machine M subsequent to a buttonholing operation.

As shown in FIGURES 4 and 10 the severing means comprises a catch blade61 slidable in a pair of guide bars 62 secured to the underside of thetable surface 11, adjacent one end of the scalloped area 21. One end ofthe blade 61 terminates in a thread hook 63 which protrudes outwardlybeyond the edge of the table surface 11, at one end of the scallopedarea 21, whereat the table surface 11 is provided with a notch 64 theapex of which being constituted by a knife 65 countersunk in the tablesurface 11 and secured, as by rivets or screws 66, to the guide bars 62(FIGURE 10).

The other end of the blade 61 is provided with a mounting plate 67 anddrive pin 68 engageable in an arcuate slot 54 in the terminal end 51 ofthe connecting rod 48 (FIGURE 4). It will be evident from sequentialFIG- URES 7, 8 and 9 and especially FIGURE 10 that as the dowel pin 53is brought round the sprockets 45 and 46 by the chain 47, the terminalend 51 of the rod 48 will swing about an arc pivoting on the bracket 50whereby the .arcuate slot 54 will draw the blade 61 and its hook 63 inand out of frictional cutting engagement with the knife 65. Note thephantom lines of FIGURE 10.

Referring now to FIGURES 10 and 11, the severing means 60 includes athread plate 69, having a guide lip 70, secured to the sewing machinework platen adjacent the sewing needle head M2 and throat plate M-6.Additionally, a ring shaped thread guide 71 is detachably mounted to theneedle guide M5 (FIGURES 10 and 11), for a purpose presently to bedescribed.

After a garment has been sewn and is carried past the needle head by thetable 10 and clamp 23, the gimp and bottom thread T will extend from thelast sewn buttonhole to the throat plate of the machine, (FIGURE 11). Sodisposed, the thread T will overlay the lip 70 on the thread guide 69and terminate under the throat plate M-6 as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11.Subsequently, as shown in FIGURE 9, the connecting rod is directedaround the idler sprocket 46 whereby the hook 63 engages the thread Tand draws the latter inwardly to be severed upon contacting the knife 65(FIGURE 10). It will be noted from FIGURE 11 that the plane of travel ofthe blade 61 and hook 63. is lower than the upper planar surface of thethread plate 69 and lower than the guide ring 71.

In order to sequentially stop the reciprocating table 10 atpredetermined locations relative to the sewing machine M whereby thelatter may sew the buttonholes in the garment or. jacket, there isprovided on the lower edge of the table skirt 12 a plurality ofadjustable stop members 73 which correspond, in number, to thebuttonholes to be sewn and which may be spaced apart accurately byadjusting the stop members 73 to a setting on a tape scale 55 secured tothe front skirt 12 of the table 10 as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 5. Asshown in FIG- URES 5 and 12, the table 10 is stopped at each button holelocation by the stop members 73 abutting a detainer comprising a bolt 74slidable in a carriage block 75 secured to the underside of the rail 30.

After a buttonhole has been sewn and in order to allow the table 10 toadvance to the next stop member, the inner end 76 of the bolt 74 isconnected to a core shaft 77 of an index solenoid S-1 by means of a drawpin 78. The latter, together with a shouldered screw 79 on the carriageblock 75, provide-mounting means for a coil spring 80 adapted to urgethe bolt outwardly to be contacted by the stop members 73. As will bedescribed later in detail, actuation of the solenoid S-l withdraws thecore shaft 77 and bolt 74 thereby allowing the clutch 44 to commencetravel of the chain 47 thereby to advance the table 10 until the nextstop member 73 engages the bolt 74.

In addition to the aforementioned solenoid S1, the indexing mechanismincludes a sewing machine starting solenoid S2, FIGURES 13 and 14,which, when actuated by a master control foot pedal switch FS1 (FIGURES1 and 15) effects lowering of the sewing machine needle clamp toinitiate a sewing cycle; and the pair of clamp solenoids S-3 and S-4mounted to the underside of the swivel support arms 31 and 32respectively and connected to the terminal ends of the garment clampactuating arms 27 by means of bolts 72 (FIGURES 3 and 6) and adapted,upon actuation, to act upwardly or downwardly on the arms 27 therebyopening or closing the garment clamp 23. Advancement of the table 10 iseffected subsequent to a sewing operation by the raising of the sewingneedle clamp M3 which, by means of linkage to a toggle arm 3 (FIGURE 13)the latter presses a second switch SW-l which energizes the solenoid S1(FIGURE 12), retracting the bolt 74 thereby allowing the passing of thestop members 73a (FIGURE 7). Concurrently the spring 80 forces the bolt74 back to its prominent position shown in FIGURE 12 so as to -beengaged by the following stop member 73b, thereby stopping the table 10at the desired location for the second buttonhole. It will beappreciated that during the sewing operation when the table 10 isstationary, the clutch 44 is in slipping engagement only with itsassociated drive sprocket 45.

A third switch SW-2 (FIGURES 5 and 12) is mounted to the underside ofthe rail 30 adjacent the bolt carriage block 75. The latter is providedwith a drilled passageway 81 for the reception of an actuating pin "82and its associated spring 83. As shown in FIGURE 12, one end of the pin82 is disposed against an actuator of the switch SW-2 and is held fromcontact therewith by the spring 83 in the passageway 81. The free end ofthe pin terminates in contact with the bolt 74 in the carriage block 75.

Subsequent to the first sewing operation, as before described, the table10 is advanced by the drive means 40 until the second stop member 73bcontacts the bolt 74. Concurrently, the pin 82 is momentarily thrust bythe bolt 74 into contact with switch SW-2 thereby actuating the latterwhich, in turn, energizes the solenoid S-2 throwing the starting lever 2and effecting lowering of the needle clamp M-3 to initiate the sewing ofa further buttonhole. This sequence is repeated until all thebuttonholes are sewn and the last stop member 730 (FIGURE 5) is carriedpast the bolt 74.

A further switch SW-3, FIGURES 4, 7, 8 and 9, is mounted atop the rail30 adjacent the idler Sprocket 46 and is provided with a lever arm 84having a contact roller 85. As shown in FIGURE 4, the chain 47 isprovided with a protruding lug 86 adapted, upon circulation of the chainaround the sprocket 46, to contact the roller to a'start position asshown in lowering of 7 85 on the lever arm 84 thereby actuating theswitch SW-3.

It will be appreciated that subsequent to the sewing of the lastbuttonhole and the passage of the last stop member 73c past the bolt 74,the table will assume the position approximately as shown in FIGURE 9.In concur- .rent operation with the thread cutting action describedabove, the lug 86 contacts the roller 85 and lever 84 actuating theswitch SW3 which in turn de energizes the solenoids S3 and S-4 to openthe garment clamp 23 whereby the jacket or garment will drop by its ownweight from the table 10, the latter subsequently being returned to thestart position shown in FIGURE 2 by the drive means 40.

Turning now to FIGURES 15 and 16, the electrical circuitry comprisescoil relays CR1 to CR4 inclusive together with their, associated coilrelay contact switches CRS-l to CRS-4 inclusive as well as a fusesituated forwardly of the line switch SW- for protection of theelectrical components.

An automatic sewing cycle start switch is provided as shown in FIGURE 16and comprises a two step switch including a first switch FS1 and a startauto cycle switch. The two step switch is positioned under the footpedal as illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURE 16.

As shown in FIGURE 15, the feed motor 41 is energized by closing thegeneral line switch SW4) and the first pressing of the foot pedal(FIGURE 1) closes switch FS-l to energize solenoids S-3 and S-4 toeffect lowering of the garment clamp 23. A further pressing of the footpedal closes the start auto cycle switch (FIGURE 16) to energize relayCR-l thereby keeping the clamp 23 in closed position. Concurrently,relay CR-4 and solenoid S-2 are also energized to effect the start of asewing cycle. As the sewing clamp M-3 is lowered, switch SW4 (FIG- URE13) is released and relay CR-2 is energized. At the completion of thesewing operation the sewing clamp M-3 is raised by the sewing machine topress switch SW-l which energizes relay CR-3 and the index solenoid S-l(FIGURE 12), the latter thereby withdrawing the detaining bolt 74 fromcontact with the first stop member 73a. Withdrawal of the bolt 74 allowsthe opening of switch SW-2 (FIGURE 12).

The table is then advanced until stop member 73b contacts the bolt 74which has been returned to its prom inent position shown in FIGURE 12 bythe coiled spring 80. The pin 82 is thrust inwardly by the impact of thebolt 74 thereby to close switch SW-2 and energizing relay CR-4 andsolenoid S-2 to institute another sewing operation.

After the passage of the last stop member 730, the chain lug 86 pressesswitch SW-3 which de-energized relay CR-l and solenoids S-3 and S-4 toefiect opening of the garment clamp 23. After the lug 86 passes theswitch SW-3, the latter is released to the closed position shown inFIGURE 15. The table 10 is then reciprocated FIGURE 2 where the firststop member engages the bolt 74. To initiate a further operation; it isnecessary only to depress again the foot pedal throwing the switch FS-1and closing the start auto cycle switch.

The machine operator turns on a general line switch SW0 (FIG. 15) whichenergizes the feed motor 41. The garment G, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,is placed on the work table 10 and is positioned thereon by means of thelapel depth guide and adjustable shoe 17, the spacing of the buttonholesto be sewn being set by adjusting the stop members 73 in relation to thetape scale 55. The operator then depresses the foot pedal (FIGURE 1) toactuate the switch FS-l closing the garment clamp 23. A second pressingof the foot pedal actuates the start auto cycle switch whichsubsequently energizes solenoid S-Z to throw the machine startinglever 2which efiects the needle clamp M3 and the first sewing operation iscommenced.

73a. Simultaneously the machine mechanism reverses the starting lever 2so as to disengage the machine power source from its associated clutchmechanism; Concurrent with the withdrawl of the bolt 75, the frictionclutch 44 picks up the motor torque and advances the chain 47,connecting rod 48 and table 10 to the'neXt sewing location as isdetermined by the setting of the second stop member 7312.

After the passage of the first stop member 73a past the bolt 74, thelatter is again projected outwardly by the spring 80. The second stopmember 73b then contacts the bolt 74, the impact causing the pin 82 inthe block 75 to actuate its associated micro-switch SW-2 which in turnenergizes the solenoid 5-2 thereby starting the machine and effectingthe lowering of the needle clamp M-3 to commence sewing of the secondbuttonhole.

The above sequence is repeated until the last stop member 730 is carriedpast the bolt 74. At the extreme reciprocal stroke of the table 10, asshown in FIGURE 9, and as the chain travels around the idler sprocket46, the dowel pin 53 is trained around the sprocket 46 which causes theconnecting rod 48 to pivot about its connection to the bracket 50. Thisoperates the catch blade 61 and causes its hook 63 to engage the gimpand thread T and to draw the latter into cutting engagement with theknife 65 for severing. Subsequently, the lug 86, which is spaced behindthe pin 53 on the chain 47, is drawn round the sprocket 46 and in doingso contacts the roller on the lever arm 84 actuating the lattersassociated micro-switch SW-S which de-energizes the solenoids S3 and S4to open the garment clamp 23 thereby releasing the garment G from theattachment.

The table is then drawn back by circulation of the engages again thebolt 74. The attachment is then ready to receive a further chain 47until the first stop member garment for sewing which is started byactuation oflthe switch FS1 to repeat the above sequence.

It is to be noted that the present attachment may be indexing attachmentforming the present invention would be applicable also to sewingmachines of the button sewing variety as well as those ofthebuttonholing type referred hereto. Moreover, although the presentembodiment relies on electric line power for operation of the indexingsystem, it is possible that the micro-switches, re-

lays and solenoids could be replaced by pumps or valves of a closedcircuit hydraulic system.

We claim: 7

1.- An indexing attachment for buttonhole sewing machines forautomatically effecting a plurality of sequential, spaced buttonholesewing operations to a garment, said attachment including a rail memberadapted to be mounted adjacent to and associated with said sewingmachine; a'work-piece table slidably mounted on said rail member; drivemeans mounted on said rail member adapted to reciprocate said table backand forth on said rail from a first sewing position to a plurality ofprede: termined sewing positions and back to said first position;indexing means cooperating'with the drive means for stopping andstarting'said table at the sewing positions released, to allow pivotalmovement of said indexing atwill be appreciated that the tachment awayfrom said sewing machine whereby the latter may be operatedindependently of said attachment.

2. An attachment according to claim 1 wherein said garment clampingmeans includes a pair of actuating arms secured at one end to theterminal ends of said member and actuating means secured to the otherends of said actuating arms adapted, when operated, to move said memberinto and out of engagement with the surface of said table; and guidemeans on the surface of said table for proper positioning of awork-piece thereon.

3. An indexing attachment for buttonhole sewing machines forautomatically effecting a plurality of sequential, spaced buttonholesewing operations to a garment, said attachment including a rail memberadapted to be mounted adjacent to and associated with saidsewingmachine; a work-piece table slidably mounted on said rail member; drivemeans mounted on said rail member adapted to reciprocate said table backand forth on said rail from a first sewing position to a plurality ofpredetermined sewing positions and back to said first position; garmentclamping means secured to said table including a member cooperating withthe surface of said table to clamp a work-piece thereon throughout thelength of the operational sewing area; locking means associated withsaid rail adapted, when released, to allow pivotal movement of saidindexing attachment away from said sewing machine whereby the latter maybe operated independently of said attachment; and indexing meanscooperating with said machine and drive means for (a) actuating saidclamping member to open and closed positions relative to the surface ofsaid workpiece table;

(b) effecting starting of said machine thereby to initiate said sewingoperations; and

(c) advancing and stopping said table at said sewing positions relativeto the machine prior to said sewing operations.

4. A11 attachment according to claim 3 wherein said indexing meansincludes a plurality of stop members adjustably secured to said tablefor alternate positioning thereon; a detent on said rail adapted to besequentially engaged by said stop members during travel of said tableand to arrest movement of said table at a plurality of predeterminedspaced positions; first switch means adapted to actuate said garmentclamping member to its operative closed position and to permit saidsewing machine to commence sewing operations; second switch meansadapted to effect withdrawal of said detent from the path of travel ofsaid stop members whereby said table may advance to a furtherpredetermined position; third switch means adapted to permit said sewingmachine to again commence sewing operations; and fourth switch meansadapted to actuate said garment clamp to its inoperative open positionto release said garment from the work table.

5. An indexing attachment for use with a buttonhole sewing machinehaving a platen, a sewing clamp, a starting lever and clutch mechanismadapted to perform a buttonhole sewing operation responsive toengagement of said clutch by actuation of said starting lever; saidattachment comprising (a) a stationary .rail member mounted adjacent toand associated with said sewing machine;

(b) a work-piece table defining an operational sewing area and beingslidably mounted on said rail memher;

() a work-piece clamping member on said table ex-" tending throughoutthe length of said sewing area;

(d) drive means on said rail interconnected with said table forreciprocating the latter along the rail from a first sewing position toa plurality of predetermined, subsequent positions and back to saidfirst sewing position;

10 (e) indexing means on said attachment adapted (i) to arrest movementof said table at each predetermined sewing position, (ii) to releasesaid table for movement after each sewing operation, and (iii) to effectopening of said clamping member whereby a work-piece is released fromsaid table;

(f) cutting means adapted automatically to sever thread extending fromsaid machine to said workpiece prior to its release from said table; and

(g) locking means for said rail member adapted, when released, to allowsaid indexing attachment to be swung away from said machine whereby thelatter can be manually operated.

6. An attachment according to claim 5 wherein said thread cutting meansis actuated by said drive means during directional changes of thereciprocating table.

7. The attachment according to claim 5 wherein said drive means includesa feed motor; a drive sprocket; clutch means connecting the drivesprocket to said feed motor; an idler sprocket; transmission meansconnecting said drive sprocket to the idler sprocket; and a connectingmember between said transmission means and said work table whereby thelatter is reciprocated by said drive means.

8. The attachment according to claim 7 wherein said transmission meanscomprises an endless chain disposed about said drive and idlersprockets; said connecting member comprising a rod pivotally secured atone end to said work table and adjacent its other end of said endlesschain; and a lug on said chain adapted, upon each revolution thereof, tocontact said indexing means thereby to etfect actuation of said garmentclamping member to its inoperative, open position.

9. An attachment according to claim 5 wherein said thread cutting meansincludes a cutting blade; a gripping member adapted, upon completion ofsaid sewing operations by said machine, to engage and direct the threadto said cutting blade for severing; a thread guide member secured tosaid machine adjacent the needle thereof; and a protruding lip on saidguide adapted to position said thread for engagement by said grippingmember.

10. An attachment according to claim 9 wherein the cutting blade issecured to said work table adjacent a side edge of the sewing area; andwherein said gripping member comprises a catch-blade slidably secured tothe underside of said work table and disposed in frictional engagementwith said cutting blade; a hook at one end of said catch-blade adaptedto extend beyond the side edge of said table; said catch blade beingpivotally secured at its other end to said drive means whereby aftergripping the thread adjacent said guide lip the hook will draw thethread between itself and the cutting blade for severance.

11. In combination with a buttonhole sewing machine having a platen, asewing clamp, a starting lever and clutch mechanism and adapted tocircumferentially sew a buttonhole in a garment in response toengagement of said clutch by actuation of said starting lever; anindexing attachment for permitting said sewing machine automatically ofeffect a plurality of sequential, spaced, buttonhole sewing operationsto a garment, said attachment comprising a frame; a stationary railmember pivotally and detachably secured to said frame; a work table onsaid frame having a garment clamp and guide means thereon extending thelength of sewing area and for maintaining said garment in position onsaid table; drive means on said rail adapted to interconnect the latterwith said table for movement thereof along said rail and comprising adrive sprocket and idler sprocket interconnected by an endless chain, afeed motor, a friction clutch interconnecting said drive sprocket withthe feed motor, and a connecting rod pivotally secured at one end tosaid table and ajacent its other end to said chain whereby circulatorymovement of the chain about said sprockets reciprocates said table onsaid rail; sewing thread cutting means comprising a cutting bladesecured to said table; a guide member secured to said machine forpositioning said thread extending from said sewing clamp to saidgarment; and a catch-blade, slidably mounted on said table, having ahook at one end and being pivotally secured at its other end to saidconnecting rod thereby to engage the thread adjacent said guide and todraw said thread into frictional engagement with said cutting blade forseverance by the latter; indexing means includ:

ing

(a) a plurality of stop members adjustably secured to said work table;

( b) a detent on said rail adapted sequentially to be engaged by saidstop members and to arrest movement of the latter and said table;

(c) first switch means to actuate said garment clamp to its operativeclosed position and to initiate engagement of said clutch to effectinitiation of said sewing operation;

(d) second switch means adapted to displace said detent from the path oftravel of said members, whereby said table may advance to a subsequentsewing location;

(e) third switch means adapted to effect actuation of said startinglever and to initiate the subsequent sewing operations; and

(f) fourth switch means to actuate said garment clamp to inoperativeopen position whereby, substantially simultaneously with the severanceof said thread, the garment is released from said attachment; andlocking means for securing said rail mem her in position with respect tosaid sewing machine adapted, when released, to allow said rail andattachment to be pivoted away from said machine whereby the latter canbe operated inependently of said indexing attachment, 12. Thecombination according to claim 11 wherein said garment clamp is providedwith at least one actuating solenoid responsive to said first and fourthswitch means for operating said clamp to open and closed positions; anactuating solenoid on said machine starting lever responsive #both tosaid first and third switch means and to movement of said sewing clampfor starting and stopping said machine; and an indexing actuatingsolenoid for reciprocating said detent and being responsive to saidsecond switch means.

13. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said second switchmeans is mounted on said machine adjacent the sewing clamp and isoperable by movement of the latter; said third switch means is mountedon said rail adjacent the detent and being operated by movement of thelatter; and wherein said fourth switch means is mounted on said railadjacent said chain and operable by movement of the latter.

14. The combination according to claim 12 wherein said detent comprisesa block secured to said rail; a bolt slidably disposed in said blocknormal to the path of travel of said table; one end of said boltnormally protruding beyond said block so as to be successively engagedby each said stop member on said table and the other end of said boltbeing secured to said indexing actuating solenoid, whereby actuation ofthe latter by said second switch means causes the bolt to be withdrawninto said block and out of the path of travel of said stop member andsaid table.

15. An indexing attachment for use with buttonhole sewing machineswhereby the latter may automatically effect a plurality of sequential,spaced buttonhole sewing operations on a garment, said attachmentcomprising 12 a frame; a stationary rail member of planar configurationadapted to be mounted on said frame adjacent a sewing machine; a worktable slidably mounted on said rail; dependingside walls and rollers onsaid table, said rollers engaging said rail adjacent the side edgesthereof; a garment clamping member having open and closed positions,mounted on said table; guide means on said table for positioning agarment thereon; drive means mounted on said rail and beinginterconnected with said table for reciprocating the latter along saidrail from a first sewing loctation to subsequent locations and backagain;

said drive means comprising:

(a) a feed motor having a friction clutch and drive sprocket mounted onsaid rail adjacent one end thereof;

(b) an idler sprocket mounted for rotation on said rail adjacent theother end thereof; and an endless chain interconnecting said sprockets;

(c) a lug integral with and projecting from said chain and a connectingrod pivotally secured at one end to said table and adjacent its otherend to said chain whereby circulation thereofi about said sprocketseffects reciprocation of the table along the rails; thread cutting meansincluding a cutting blade secured to said table, a catch blade having ahook at one end slightly mounted to said table, a guide member adaptedto be mounted adjacent said sewing machine for positioning threadextending from said machine to a garment, said catch blade beingpivotally secured to said connecting rod of the drive means whereby,when said chain is passed around said idler sprocket, the hook isadapted to engage the thread adajacent said guide and draw the threadinto frictional engagement withsaid cutting blade for severance thereby;indexing means comprising (a) aplurality ofstop members adjustablysecured to a side wall of said table for positioning therealong;

(b) a detent mounted on said rail adapted for engage- V ment bysaid stopmembers for arresting movement 1 of said table;

(c) first switch means adapted to actuate said garment clamp to aclosing position relative to said table and to eflect initiation ofsewing operations; ((1) second switch means adapted to displace thedetent from the path of travel of said stop members; (e) third switchadapted upon contact of said detent by the stop members to initiate thesubsequent sewing operations; and (f) fourth switch means, adapted uponcontact by said chain lug, to actuate the garment clamp to an openposition whereby the garment is released. from said attachment; and railsupport means including locking clamps which, attachment to be swungaway from said machine on said support means whereby the machine may beoperated independent of said attachment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,990,284 2/1935 Hinds 112'1472,899,919 8/1959 Myska Q 112-67 2,944,496 7/1960 Gardner 112-2 2,989,0136/1961 McGill et al. 112-2 2,989,934 6/1961 Zeitlin 112-2 X 3,053,2049/1962 Kelemencky 112-2 3,151,583 10/1964 Troll et al. 112-2 PATRICK D.LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

H N i ts??? Fram n when released, allow said-

1. AN INDEXING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTONHOLE SEWING MACHINES FORAUTOMATICALLY EFFECTING A PLURALITY OF SEQUENTIAL, SPACED BUTTONHOLESEWING OPERATIONS TO A GARMENT, SAID ATTACHMENT INCLUDING A RAIL MEMBERADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ADJACENT TO AND ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SEWINGMACHINE; A WORK-PIECE TABLE SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID RAIL MEMBER; DRIVEMEANS MOUNTED ON SAID RAIL MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECIPROCATE SAID TABLE BACKAND FORTH ON SAID RAIL FROM A FIRST SEWING POSITION TO A PLURALITY OFPREDETERMINED SEWING POSITIONS AND BACK TO SAID FIRST POSITION; INDEXINGMEANS COOPERATING WITH THE DRIVE MEANS FOR STOPPING AND STARTING SAIDTABLE AT THE SEWING POSITIONS ALONG THE RAIL MEMBER; GARMENT CLAMPINGMEANS SECURED TO SAID TABLE INCLUDING A MEMBER COOPERATING WITH THESURFACE OF SAID TABLE TO CLAMP A WORK-PIECE THEREON THROUGHOUT THELENGTH OF THE OPERATIONAL SEWING AREA; AND LOCKING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITHSAID RAIL ADAPTED, WHEN RELEASED, TO ALLOW PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAIDINDEXING ATTACHMENT AWAY FROM SAID SEWING MACHINE WHEREBY THE LATTER MAYBE OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID ATTACHMENT.